All you need to know about growing the beautiful Jacaranda tree in the UK, in our guide.
Jacaranda mimosifolia is a spectacular tree, native to the tropical regions of Bolivia and Argentina. It bears masses of vibrant purple-blue flowers in late-spring and again in autumn, and is a popular street tree and garden specimen in warmer climates. While many people fall in love with Jacaranda tree while on holiday and want to grow it at home, its a frost-tender deciduous tree that needs a warm growing environment with a minimum temperature of 5°C. However, the dwarf grafted form, Jacaranda ‘Bonsai Blue’, makes it possible to grow Jacaranda in a pot, so you can grow it outdoors in summer and move it under cover for winter.
An unmistakable and glorious sight when in flower, Jacaranda flowers in spring and early summer, bearing many small flowers in large pyramidal clusters. Individual blooms are 3-5cm long, rich purple-blue with a white throat. Flowers are borne on the bare stems before the leaves, or just as the leaves are emerging. Leaves are bright, mid green, and divided.
Jacaranda mimosifolia reaches a height of 15m and a spread of 10m. The dwarf variety ‘Bonsai Blue’ is much more compact, with a height of 1.5m and spread of 45cm.
If you’re looking to add some serious wow-factor to your landscape, you can’t go wrong with the jacaranda tree. This beautiful flowering tree is known for its abundant clusters of vibrant purple blooms that create a stunning display of color Though jacarandas are not native to many parts of the country, their ability to thrive in warm climates makes them a popular choice for gardens in the south and southwest regions of the United States.
But where exactly can you find jacaranda trees for sale? With their gorgeous flowers and graceful fern-like foliage, it’s no wonder jacarandas are in high demand. Read on for tips on where to buy a jacaranda tree and how to pick the perfect one for your yard.
Understanding The Jacaranda Tree
Let’s start with a quick overview of the jacaranda mimosifolia, also known simply as the jacaranda tree. Jacarandas are originally native to tropical and subtropical regions of South America. The tree can grow quite large, up to 50 feet tall with a spread of up to 30 feet wide. Though semi-evergreen, jacarandas are prized for their spring bloom when the entire tree erupts into a cloud of vivid violet-blue trumpet-shaped flowers. This flowering show usually lasts for around 6-8 weeks.
Once the blooms fade, the jacaranda leaves provide lovely dappled shade and an airy, delicate texture to the landscape. Jacarandas thrive best in full sun and warm climates that do not experience frost or freezing temperatures. Their vibrant blooms and versatile form make them ideal for use as street trees, shade trees, or ornamental specimen plantings.
Now that you know what makes the jacaranda so special, let’s look at some places where you can find these stunning trees for sale.
Check Local Nurseries And Garden Centers
One of the best places to buy a jacaranda tree is right in your hometown at a local independent nursery or garden center. Reputable local nurseries often carry a great selection of mature trees ready for planting and their knowledgeable staff can advise you on selecting the perfect jacaranda for your specific climate and growing conditions.
Seek out nurseries that specialize in warm-climate varietals and trees ideal for your particular region. For example, in the southwestern United States, nurseries like Moon Valley Nurseries offer several sizes and types of jacaranda trees grown specially for hot climates like those found in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and California.
The benefit of buying from local nurseries is that you can see and choose the exact tree you’ll be taking home. Check for healthy branching, good form, and no signs of disease or damage. Always ask about delivery and planting services to get your new tree safely in the ground.
Order Online From Specialty Nurseries
Can’t find the size or type of jacaranda you want locally? Shopping at online specialty nurseries is another great option for finding mail order jacaranda trees. Online nurseries like MrMaple.com provide a huge selection of trees and plants that can be shipped directly to your door.
Buying a tree sight unseen can seem risky, but reputable online sellers take great care in safely packaging and shipping plant material. Be sure to shop from nurseries guaranteeing healthy, viable trees and providing detailed planting and care instructions.
Order early in the planting season to get the pick of the litter when it comes to choosing your mail order jacaranda. Trees shipped bare root in early spring will have the best chance to establish and thrive in their first year.
Check With Your Local University Extension Office
Don’t overlook university agricultural extension offices as a possible source for jacaranda trees. Extension offices connected to universities with strong agricultural and horticultural programs, like the University of Florida IFAS Extension, often operate plant sales offering trees and plants suitable for local growing conditions.
Sales sometimes feature new varietals bred specifically for certain regions and growing challenges. Extension plant sales are a great place to find hardy, healthy jacaranda trees already acclimated to your area for the best chance of success. You’ll also get lots of expert growing tips and after-planting care advice.
Time Your Purchase To The Growing Season
When looking for the perfect jacaranda tree, it’s key to time your purchase to the optimal planting window for your climate. In warm zones like 9-11 where jacarandas thrive, aim for early spring planting right before the rainy season begins. This gives the tree plenty of moisture to establish while avoiding the hottest part of summer.
If planting container-grown jacarandas, you may have more flexibility in timing. But even potted trees do best when planted in early spring to take advantage of warm weather and avoid winter freezes. Order early to get the exact tree you want before supplies sell out.
Selecting The Right Jacaranda For You
Once you’ve found some good options for buying a jacaranda, it’s time to pick the perfect one! Here are some tips for choosing a healthy, thriving tree:
-
Mature or Young Tree: Consider your timeline – more mature trees bloom sooner but cost more, while younger 4-5 ft trees take longer to bloom but allow you to watch them grow.
-
Tree Form: Choose single-trunk or multi-trunk forms depending on the shape and branching structure you prefer.
-
Foliage: Look for green, healthy leaves without spots, holes or discoloration. Avoid trees with excessive leaf or branch dieback.
-
Blooms: Buying during bloom season lets you pick one covered in flowers! But be sure the rest of the tree looks healthy too.
-
Roots: If bare root, seek trees with healthy white roots not brown, mushy ones. For container trees, look for a robust trunk and well-filled out canopy.
-
Climate: Only choose trees suitable for your planting zone – jacarandas need Zone 9-11.
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll find a gorgeous, vibrant jacaranda tree ready to bring sensational color to your warm climate garden!
Caring For Your New Jacaranda
Once you get your new jacaranda home, be sure to give it proper care to help it thrive. Here are some growing tips:
-
Plant in full sun in well-drained soil enriched with compost.
-
Water 1-2 times per week for the first year, then weekly in dry periods after established.
-
Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring to fuel growth and blooms.
-
Prune only minimally to maintain shape. Avoid heavy pruning.
-
Watch for aphids and root rot; treat organically as needed.
With the right growing conditions and care, your jacaranda will reward you with sensational blooms year after year. The vibrant purple flowers will give your garden a tropical flair that feels worlds away.
Add Striking Jacarandas To Your Landscape
The jacaranda truly is a sight to behold when it unleashes its vivid violet bloom display. Whether you prefer a stately, mature jacaranda or want to watch a young tree grow over time, following the tips above makes it easy to track down these showy trees for your own garden.
A thriving jacaranda will transform your landscape with its vibrant colors and lacy foliage. Give this tropical beauty a try in your garden and wait for the glowing compliments sure to follow!
How to care for Jacaranda
Watering sparingly is the key to success with Jacaranda. While in growth from spring to autumn, water only as required to keep the compost just moist and allow to almost dry out between waterings. Through the winter months, allow the compost to dry out. During the growing season, from mid spring to autumn, feed once every 2-3 weeks with a general liquid fertilizer.
Pot on into the next size up of container, in late winter or early spring, until reaching a maximum pot size of 45cm high and wide. Thereafter, top dress annually in late winter by carefully removing the top several centimetres of compost and replacing with fresh material.
How to plant Jacaranda
Plant Jacaranda in a pot, two to three sizes larger than the pot you bought it in. Use a soil-based peat-free John Innes no 2 potting compost, with added coarse grit or perlite to ensure sharp drainage.
Jacaranda mimosifolia (Jacaranda) at Plantmark Wholesale Nurseries
FAQ
Where can I find jacaranda trees?
Native to dry, subtropical mountain valleys of Argentina and Bolivia, jacarandas have been planted all over the world in places with similar climates. Popular shade and street trees in Southern California, they are a welcome marker of springtime.
Where is the best place to plant a jacaranda tree?
They do best in a full sun position (at least six hours of direct sunlight) with protection from strong winds. Grow a Jacaranda in a spot that’s large enough to allow it to develop its natural size and umbrella shape.
How fast does a jacaranda tree grow?
Jacaranda trees are known for their fast growth rate, particularly in their early years. They can grow up to 10 feet per year in tropical environments during their initial growth. In cooler climates, the growth rate slows down, but they still tend to be fast growers. Under optimal conditions, they can grow 3 to 5 feet per year.
Can you grow jacaranda trees in the US?
It is well-adapted to USDA Hardiness Zones 9B through 11. It prefers full sun and sandy soil with good drainage.